Santana moves Angels closer to division title

Ervin Santana pitched 6 1/3 strong innings and got just enough
run support to earn the win as the Angels beat the Tampa Bay
Devil Rays, 2-1, on Wednesday to complete a three-game series
sweep.

Juan Rivera hit a solo home run and Jeff Mathis had an RBI
single as the Angels (90-62) reduced their magic number to
clinch the AL West title to three. Nearing their third division
crown in four seasons, the Angels are 8 1/2 games clear of
second-place Seattle (81-70), which topped Oakland on Wednesday.

"I helped myself out by making some big pitches in big
situations," Santana said. "I just want to go out and finish
strong and get the opportunity to get a chance to start in the
playoffs."

With scheduled starter Bartolo Colon sidelined with a stiff
back, Santana (7-13) filled in admirably and picked up just his
second win in 12 starts. His only mistake came in the fifth
inning, when he allowed a leadoff home run by Jonny Gomes.

"(Santana) did a good job coming in and filling in for us
today," Angels catcher Mathis said. "It doesn't matter who goes
out there for us because we're here to win, and it's coming
down to the wire."

Santana got into trouble in the sixth as the Devil Rays loaded
the bases with two outs while trailing, 2-1. However, the
righthander preserved the lead by getting Jorge Velandia to fly
out to center field.

"I just keep working hard right now and working with my
mechanics to improve," Santana said. "I had a really good
slider going today that I could throw in any count."

Santana allowed one run, six hits and two walks while striking
out 10. He gave way to lefthander Darren Oliver in the seventh
after striking out Josh Wilson with his 100th pitch of the game.

Francisco Rodriguez worked around a two-out walk in the ninth to
nail down his 37th save of the season.

"I've been feeling better lately and my pitches are in the zone
again," Rodriguez said. "My confidence is better now and I just
had to forget about the bad outings I have had lately."

Enduring a sweep here was nothing new for the Devil Rays, who
fell to 4-23 at Angel Stadium since the start of the 2002
season. The Angels, who are 52-25 here this year, have won
eight consecutive home games against the Devil Rays.

"For whatever reason, it just seems like no matter what we do,
we always fall short of a win here," Devil Rays manager Joe
Maddon said. "We know they have a good ballclub, but we should
at least be able to get a win."

Tampa Bay starter J.P. Howell (1-5) allowed two runs, five hits
and and one walk while striking out eight in six innings.